Zack Greinke appears unlikely to pitch for Dodgers in Australia

Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times

Starting pitcher Zack Greinke, right, with catcher A.J. Ellis during a game last season, canceled a bullpen session for Saturday, making it unlikely he'll be able to make a start in Australia when the Dodgers open the season against Arizona.

Starting pitcher Zack Greinke, right, with catcher A.J. Ellis during a game last season, canceled a bullpen session for Saturday, making it unlikely he'll be able to make a start in Australia when the Dodgers open the season against Arizona. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Dylan Hernandez

PHOENIX -- Zack Greinke might not be ready to pitch when the Dodgers open their season in three weeks.

Greinke canceled a bullpen session that was scheduled for Saturday and is unlikely to take his next turn in the rotation Tuesday, according to Manager Don Mattingly.

Greinke was removed from his first start of the exhibition season Thursday because of a strained right calf muscle.

He played catch Friday with Stan Conte, the Dodgers' director of medical services.

“I know he’s feeling something in there,” Mattingly said.

Mattingly wouldn’t rule out Greinke for the season-opening two-game series in Australia, which will be played March 22-23. But the starting pitchers in that series will have to be ready to throw around 90 pitches and Greinke is unlikely to have sufficient time to build up the necessary arm strength.